Today I was supposed to run 5 miles. I rested instead. My right thigh feels sore and I don’t want to risk injuring it. It’s hard to rest. Much harder than getting out there and running. I’m proud of myself for having the strength to not run.
strength? courage? self-control? willpower? discipline?
What is it that I displayed when I was able to overcome my strong desire to run even though I knew I shouldn’t? Many would describe it as “self-control” or discipline, but I dislike these words; they’re too directed towards certain aims, like success!, achievement! and privileging the mind over the body. They’re also too motivated by squelching passion and enthusiasm. About denying your Self and what you want for the sake of your goals. How could we understand not running as a form of (self) care instead of as discipline or willpower? Does this make sense to anyone other than me? Does it even make sense to me? I want to keep pushing at this idea of framing my training around care instead of achievement and Success!.